As tax season rolls around in Australia, many of us are on high alert for any communications from myGov regarding our tax returns.

However, cybercriminals are banking on this heightened sense of anticipation with their latest scam, which is so convincing that it's been duping thousands of unsuspecting Aussies.

The scam operates under the guise of an official myGov communication, making it particularly difficult to spot.

The scam starts with an email that appears to be from myGov, notifying you of a new message in your myGov inbox.

This email often includes a URL that purports to be a direct link to the myGov website, where you can log in and view the message.

Australians were targeted by scammers posing as myGov, particularly during tax season when legitimate government messages were expected. Credit: Shutterstock

However, this link is a trap; it leads to a fake myGov website designed to harvest your personal and financial details.

Despite the scammers' efforts to make their emails look legitimate, several red flags can help you identify a scam.

Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency, pressuring you to act quickly without thinking critically or seeking advice.

The email may also come from an address that contains random letters or numbers, has incorrect spelling or punctuation, or is sent from a free webmail service like Gmail or Yahoo.

Look for awkward phrasing, incorrect capitalisation, spelling, or grammar mistakes.

Lastly, scam emails might include a confidentiality notice or other fine print that doesn't align with official myGov communications.

For example, a notice referring to an unrelated organisation or location is a clear giveaway.

To avoid falling victim to these scams, exercise caution with emails that appear to be from myGov.

Instead of clicking on links in emails, consistently access the myGov website by typing 'my.gov.au' into your browser or using the official myGov app.

If you receive a suspicious email that looks like it's from myGov, do not click on any links or download attachments and ignore the message.

If you've accidentally interacted with a scammer by clicking on a link, sharing your myGov details, or downloading a fraudulent app, take the following steps to address the situation.

If you've fallen victim to a scam, contact the Services Australia Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk.

Tip

You can report the scam to myGov by forwarding it to [email protected] and using the ScamWatch website.

Contact your bank immediately to stop any transactions and secure your accounts. Additionally, contact IDCARE, Australia's national identity and cyber support service, for guidance on protecting your online accounts.

You can also help by alerting the community to these scams by reporting them in SDC’s ScamWatch forum.

Key Takeaways

• Scammers are targeting Australians by posing as myGov, especially during tax time when people expect to receive legitimate communications from the government service.
• The phishing scam involves urgent emails and links to fake myGov websites that aim to steal personal and financial information.
• To spot a scam, look for suspicious email addresses, incorrect spelling and grammar, and out-of-place details in the fine print.
• If you receive a suspicious email, don't click any links or download attachments; delete or ignore the message and contact the Services Australia Scams and Identity Theft Helpdesk if personal details have been shared.

Have you or someone you know encountered a myGov scam? Share your experiences in the comments below.

 

[Veggiepatch]

The address of this email's origin in a dead giveaway as is the MyGOv, not myGov!

MyG0v--link<[email protected]>

 

[Luckyus]

I bell them on a land line?

 

[Drew62]

scammers have been using MyGov for Months Now

 

[JudyPR]

I once clicked on a link and they changed the answers to my secret questions. Fortunately, they did not do anything else and I was able to get my account stopped. I had to go through the process of setting it up again. And I thought I was tech savvy!

 

[Kevin. A.]

I never click any links provided in emails. Unless I have specifically requested information from a trusted site then I take every email with suspicion. Always look at the email address and compare it with a known trusted email address. Any deviations from the trusted email address are a red flag for scammers. Always go to a known source for information and updates.
I clicked on a news story in my news feed recently and had my computer screen freeze, with an animated notice that my computer had been infected by several viruses. A phone number was on screen, from so called "Computer Technicians" who could assist me to remove these "so-called viruses". I could not get out of the screen which had an red alarming notice moving around my screen. For those people who do not know how to close down your computer if you ever encounter such a notice. All you need to do is click "CTRL, ALT and Delete" keys all at the same time. This will close down your computer. Select the option to either restart or close down your computer from the menu provided.
I hope this little trick helps some of you keep safe from these scammers, Cheers.

 

[PepeLePew]

I delete any and all emails from MyGov then go to my MyGov account itself, log in and check to see if there is an email from them. Not going to catch me out, I actually delete any emails I don't reconigse.

 

[[email protected].]

i do this too and also switch off at the wall for 30odd seconds and then turn it back on .Takes a little while to reboot but disconnects these scammers also pays to have a good security .I use Malwarebytes about 70 odd bucks a year. Updates and scans everyday also Spybot is another one that does this. These were recommended to me by an I T boffin

 

[Victoria56]

I never click any links provided in emails. Unless I have specifically requested information from a trusted site then I take every email with suspicion. Always look at the email address and compare it with a known trusted email address. Any deviations from the trusted email address are a red flag for scammers. Always go to a known source for information and updates.
I clicked on a news story in my news feed recently and had my computer screen freeze, with an animated notice that my computer had been infected by several viruses. A phone number was on screen, from so called "Computer Technicians" who could assist me to remove these "so-called viruses". I could not get out of the screen which had an red alarming notice moving around my screen. For those people who do not know how to close down your computer if you ever encounter such a notice. All you need to do is click "CTRL, ALT and Delete" keys all at the same time. This will close down your computer. Select the option to either restart or close down your computer from the menu provided.
I hope this little trick helps some of you keep safe from these scammers, Cheers.

Or press and hold the on/off button and do a Hard Shutdown. I have had the same thing happen to me several times.

 

[June E]

I had a pretty dumb scammer today really made me laugh. It was one of those supposedly from pay pal about your account being frozen due to suspicious action.
In the email address bar to me it also showed the sender :- doggyhatesme @ !!

 

[janj]

i do this too and also switch off at the wall for 30odd seconds and then turn it back on .Takes a little while to reboot but disconnects these scammers also pays to have a good security .I use Malwarebytes about 70 odd bucks a year. Updates and scans everyday also Spybot is another one that does this. These were recommended to me by an I T boffin

I have switched off the wall too

 

[Winks]

I never click any links provided in emails. Unless I have specifically requested information from a trusted site then I take every email with suspicion. Always look at the email address and compare it with a known trusted email address. Any deviations from the trusted email address are a red flag for scammers. Always go to a known source for information and updates.
I clicked on a news story in my news feed recently and had my computer screen freeze, with an animated notice that my computer had been infected by several viruses. A phone number was on screen, from so called "Computer Technicians" who could assist me to remove these "so-called viruses". I could not get out of the screen which had an red alarming notice moving around my screen. For those people who do not know how to close down your computer if you ever encounter such a notice. All you need to do is click "CTRL, ALT and Delete" keys all at the same time. This will close down your computer. Select the option to either restart or close down your computer from the menu provided.
I hope this little trick helps some of you keep safe from these scammers, Cheers.

I never clicks links either & always go to official website to verify.

 

[Glenys R]

I am not computer clever but in times of doubt switch off everything - leave it for while - then turn it on again - everything is working fine - no problems. If the computer is off what can anyone do to it!!

 

[David567]

Asians calling trying to sell solar panels saying they are calling on behalf of the government. Bloody idiots.

 

[Jo Piper3]

I never click any links provided in emails. Unless I have specifically requested information from a trusted site then I take every email with suspicion. Always look at the email address and compare it with a known trusted email address. Any deviations from the trusted email address are a red flag for scammers. Always go to a known source for information and updates.
I clicked on a news story in my news feed recently and had my computer screen freeze, with an animated notice that my computer had been infected by several viruses. A phone number was on screen, from so called "Computer Technicians" who could assist me to remove these "so-called viruses". I could not get out of the screen which had an red alarming notice moving around my screen. For those people who do not know how to close down your computer if you ever encounter such a notice. All you need to do is click "CTRL, ALT and Delete" keys all at the same time. This will close down your computer. Select the option to either restart or close down your computer from the menu provided.
I hope this little trick helps some of you keep safe from these scammers, Cheers.

The same happened to me last year and I just pressed CTRL, ALT, Delete and the problem was solved. Thank you for your tip to help people who may not have known this.

 

[Dynamo]

I never click any links provided in emails. Unless I have specifically requested information from a trusted site then I take every email with suspicion. Always look at the email address and compare it with a known trusted email address. Any deviations from the trusted email address are a red flag for scammers. Always go to a known source for information and updates.
I clicked on a news story in my news feed recently and had my computer screen freeze, with an animated notice that my computer had been infected by several viruses. A phone number was on screen, from so called "Computer Technicians" who could assist me to remove these "so-called viruses". I could not get out of the screen which had an red alarming notice moving around my screen. For those people who do not know how to close down your computer if you ever encounter such a notice. All you need to do is click "CTRL, ALT and Delete" keys all at the same time. This will close down your computer. Select the option to either restart or close down your computer from the menu provided.
I hope this little trick helps some of you keep safe from these scammers, Cheers.

Thanks for tip

 

[magpie1]

These bloody scammers are a bane in today's technology driven society.....more needs doing to help users, particularly the elder members of our society to help them in averting these bastards.